Dr Caroline Jackson, MEP brought with her fears for our local helicopter operator. In a meeting with BIH, Dr Jackson stated that a new draft EU directive would give financial compensation rights to people who are ?denied boarding? because of cancellations or overbooking.
In iThe Cornishman/i, local correspondant Clive Mumford explains: “It was aimed at the low cost carriers who have been known to leave passengers in the lurch. However, as things stand it would extend to the Scilly air services as well. The minimum compensation is drafted for ?175 per person - a huge burden for the air services to carry, particularly when they are at the mercy of the weather.”
It may be possible to build into the new law a complete exemption for very short distance flights, and will be discussing this idea with the Transport Minister and the EC.
Dr Jackson said: “We expect to see it adopted later this year, then we would have to put what it says into British law. I hope that common sense can prevail so that there will be no threat to Scilly’s vital air links.”